Air Canada reveals 30 finalists for 2026 Best New Restaurants

Air Canada has revealed the 30 finalists for its 2026 Best New Restaurants list as the program marks its 25th anniversary.

The annual ranking recognizes restaurants that opened across Canada between May 1, 2025 and April 30, 2026. 

This year’s Top 10 will be announced at an event in Toronto on Nov. 16.

The 2026 finalists

The finalists were selected independently by a panel of culinary judges in collaboration with restaurant reservation platform DINR.

Restaurants were assessed based on their food, service and contribution to Canada’s dining culture.

The 2026 finalists are:

• 3 Pierres 1 Feu, Montreal, Que.

• Alfred’s, Revelstoke, B.C.

• Angela Pastificio, Vancouver, B.C.

• Antheia, Ottawa, Ont.

• Antylia, Toronto, Ont.

• Bar Eugenie, Toronto, Ont.

• Bar Les Incompetents, St. Catharines, Ont.

• Bistrot Fortune, Montreal, Que.

• Coquette, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, Que.

• Hana Korean Steakhouse, Montreal, Que.

• Kavita, Vancouver, B.C.

• Liliana, Toronto, Ont.

• LORE, Collingwood, Ont.

• Lumache, Victoria, B.C.

• MacTaverne, Val-David, Que.

• N.L. Ginzburg, Toronto, Ont.

• Nui, Vancouver, B.C.

• OLDESEOUL TAVERN, Toronto, Ont.

• Penny Crown, Calgary, Alta.

• Radici Project, Toronto, Ont.

• Restaurant Capelin, Niagara Region, Ont.

• Revé, Niagara Region, Ont.

• Rita Trattoria, Edmonton, Alta.

• SAMMARCO, Toronto, Ont.

• Seahorse, Toronto, Ont.

• Snack Haüs, Winnipeg, Man.

• Sushi Jun, Calgary, Alta.

• Touk, Vancouver, B.C.

• Yakitori Hibahihi, Montreal, Que.

• Zia’s Place, Toronto, Ont.

The restaurants have been invited to join DINR, where they will be featured as Air Canada Best New Restaurant finalists.

"For 25 years, Air Canada has celebrated the people and plates defining Canadian dining,” said Andy Shibata, vice-president of brand at Air Canada. 

"This year isn't just about looking back at the icons who transformed our food culture; it’s about fuelling the future. From the 30 standout finalists on this year's list to the young aspiring chefs entering the kitchen for the first time, we’re proud to back the talent, diversity, and creativity driving Canadian dining forward.”

New hall of fame and dining series

To mark the program’s anniversary, Air Canada is introducing the Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants Icons, a hall of fame recognizing influential chefs who first received national attention through the program.

The inaugural honourees will be announced during the Top 10 event in November.

Air Canada has also launched a searchable online guide featuring every restaurant named a finalist since 2002.

The anniversary programming will include the Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants Dining Series, presented by DINR. 

The series will pair former finalists for one-night collaborative dinners in cities across Canada.

Air Canada also plans to partner with culinary festivals on events and menus featuring chefs previously recognized by the program. 

Supporting emerging culinary talent

Air Canada and the Air Canada Foundation are contributing $25,000 to La Tablée des Chefs’ national Kitchen Brigades program.

The program provides high school students with culinary education and industry exposure while helping them develop cooking, teamwork and leadership skills.

The latest contribution brings Air Canada and the Air Canada Foundation’s combined support for La Tablée des Chefs to more than $500,000.

Air Canada will announce the 2026 Top 10 Best New Restaurants on Nov. 16 in downtown Toronto. 

The event will bring together representatives from the longlist restaurants, media, food industry guests and chefs previously recognized by the program.

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